Call it a fundaiser. Call it a reunion of his Republican inner circle.

It’s also a 75th birthday party for former Gov. Lincoln C. Almond, with proceeds earmarked for a scholarship fund bearing his name at his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island.

More specifically, onetime aides to the former Rhode Island governor are planning a “Celebrate Governor Almond” event on June 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at what they hope, by then, will be the newly opened Renaissance Providence Hotel at the site of the restored Masonic Temple across the street from the State House.

Almond was in his last months as governor when his administration inked the deal that after years of false starts brought in Sage Hospitality Resources, a Denver company that specializes in revitalizing derelict downtown buildings, as the new savior of the abandoned and crumbling colossus.

In lieu of gifts, those attending will be encouraged to contribute to a URI endowment named for the former governor, Class of ’61, and his wife, Marilyn, Class of ’58. (As of February, the endowment fund contained $100,137 after splitting $4,500 in scholarships among four students who had demonstrated financial need and merit during this academic year alone.)

“We had always agreed that we, as former staff members, would come together when the Renaissance opened to see the culmination of years of effort on Governor Almond’s part to transform this historic structure from an eyesore to a majestic destination hotel,” said former Almond press secretary Lisa Pelosi.

“A group of us started to brainstorm and a small get-together turned into a five-year reunion for all associated with the Almond administration and a birthday party with contributions to the scholarship fund at URI which the Almonds so heartily endorsed.”

Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door. For more information, e-mail lpelosi@cox.net or madparm@cox.net.

speoples@projo.com